South Africa.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 241, 12 August 1902, Page 1

South Africa.

London, August 7. At tin- Guildhall to-day, in (be invsiunc of i!it! colonial Hremiera, Indian ITmcv*, l,he Agents General, Imperial Ministers and cx-Minis-ters, illuminated addresses and services of pinto wore presented by Lie Gi:y Corporation to Earl Roberts and Viscount Kncbener in recognition of iheir services in 11 e war. In replying, both eulogised tbo army and the services of the colonials. Viscount Kitch-ner especially praised his bra\e colonial comrades for the fine spirit and loyalty that led them to sacrifice private interests to share the dangers and rardships of campaign. He added: —“ As long as that spirit exists we, as a people, possess the qualifications of empire. I: is only requisite that our leaders should, as they would, direct that spirit in order to ensure its ellieient use for the greatest benefit of the race.” Heater’s Johannesburg correspondent says that the labour question is daily becoming more acute. Six hundred thou.-and hoys are necessary before the mines can obtain full development. It is estimated that 400,000 at most are available. Chinese labour is impossible unless permanent residence is forbidden. August 9. In the House of Lords the Earl of Hardwicke, Under-Secretary for India, in replying to Lord Carrington, said that Mr Brodrick wai prepared to institute a full inquiry into the treatment of the troopers on board the Drayton Grange. Lord Tweedmouth expressed satisfaction at the announcement, adding that the war had strengthened the Ues of the Mother Count i’}' and the colonies. It would, indeed, be foolish to allow false economy to spoil a good work. The Standard says that the Boer Generals do not favour Mr Kruger’s project to foim the irreconcilable Boers into a party. Mr Reitz, jun., has arrived from Naples. In the course of an interview he declared that the Boers had been beaten not by soldiers, but by abject misery, and that there would be war again within three or four years. Many o’ the young Boers would emigrate rather than submit. Many were going to Madagascar. The Johannesburg Town Council arc petitioning the Government to grant facilities for housing accommodation. Rents are at present 40 per cent of income. Many pei sons are encamped on Government land owing to the difficulties tf railway transport. Mr Balfour announced that Lord Elgin’s Commission to enquire into the war would include Field Mar*, shal Norman, Admiral Hopkins, Lord Esher, Sir .R hn Jackson (the eminent contractor), and Sir .L h t Edge (number of the Ccui cil < f India). Durban, August 7, The principal medical Oliver at Durian states that the Drayton Grange carried sixty below the accommodation provided. She was fitted for forty officers and 2000 men, bad full quantities of medical necessaries, and sufficient drugs and instruments for fix times the number on board. A scheme is proposed by tie Natal Government to provide for settlement on small farms on Crown lands, a bonus on exports, and the establishment of the Ciedit Foucier. The Hague, August 8. Mr Kruger visited the pto-Boer exhibition here, and sat opposite a representation of the Dutch and French combatants who had been slain in the Boer War. He delivered a speech eulogising the disinterested champions of justice. Young girls strewed flowers at Mr Kruger’s-feet. Melbourne, August 8. Strong comments have been made in both the Federal and State Parliaments with regard to the treatment of the troops on the Drayton Grange. August 9. The Federal Minister of Defence has obtained reports with regard to the Drayton Grange. Colonel Lyster, the officer commanding, reports that provision was made for the accommodation of 2200 troops, and there were 1969 aboard. Tbo food supply was excellent, and sufficient sanitary accommodation was provided. No complaints were made by the commanding officer in reference to accommodation. His opinion was that if trained soldiers occupied the same space greater efforts could have been made by the men to make the most of it. He admits that the hospital accommodation was inadequate, and if his request to land [Continued on- fourth jrogef